U.S. patent application number 12/561178 was filed with the patent office on 2010-03-25 for hvac units, heat exchangers, buildings, and methods having slanted fins to shed condensation or for improved air flow.
This patent application is currently assigned to NORDYNE Inc.. Invention is credited to Russell W. Hoeffken, ALLAN J. REIFEL.
Application Number | 20100071868 12/561178 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42036433 |
Filed Date | 2010-03-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100071868 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
REIFEL; ALLAN J. ; et
al. |
March 25, 2010 |
HVAC UNITS, HEAT EXCHANGERS, BUILDINGS, AND METHODS HAVING SLANTED
FINS TO SHED CONDENSATION OR FOR IMPROVED AIR FLOW
Abstract
HVAC units and systems, air conditioning units, and heat pumps
that have micro-channel heat exchangers wherein fins are slanted,
multi-tubes are oriented non-horizontally (e.g., vertically), or
both, for example. Fins may be slanted downward in the direction of
air flow to facilitate drainage of condensation, or may be slanted
either downward or upward as appropriate to reduce air-flow
restriction. Other embodiments include the heat exchangers
themselves and buildings having such heat exchangers, units, or
systems, as well as methods concerning such devices, such as
methods of manufacture. In some embodiments, heat exchangers are
used as evaporators in air conditioning units, as condensers in
heat pumps, or both, as examples.
Inventors: |
REIFEL; ALLAN J.;
(Florissant, MO) ; Hoeffken; Russell W.;
(Millstadt, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BRYAN CAVE LLP
TWO NORTH CENTRAL AVENUE, SUITE 2200
PHOENIX
AZ
85004
US
|
Assignee: |
NORDYNE Inc.
O'Fallon
MO
|
Family ID: |
42036433 |
Appl. No.: |
12/561178 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61098523 |
Sep 19, 2008 |
|
|
|
61174369 |
Apr 30, 2009 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
165/47 ; 165/173;
165/181; 29/726 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F28F 17/005 20130101;
B23P 15/26 20130101; F24F 13/30 20130101; F28F 1/128 20130101; F24F
1/0059 20130101; Y10T 29/53113 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
165/47 ; 165/173;
165/181; 29/726 |
International
Class: |
F24H 3/00 20060101
F24H003/00; F28F 9/02 20060101 F28F009/02; F28F 1/10 20060101
F28F001/10; B23P 15/26 20060101 B23P015/26 |
Claims
1. An HVAC unit having at least one heat exchanger having a
predominant air-flow direction, the heat exchanger comprising a
first refrigerant header tube and a second refrigerant header tube,
multiple parallel multi-tubes extending from the first refrigerant
header tube to the second refrigerant header tube, the multi-tubes
being parallel to each other geometrically and arranged in parallel
with respect to flow of the refrigerant, each multi-tube having
multiple contiguous parallel refrigerant passageways therethrough
arranged in at least one row, and wherein each heat exchanger
module includes multiple fins between the multi-tubes, wherein the
fins are bonded to the multi-tubes; wherein the multi-tubes are
oriented non-horizontally in the HVAC unit and the fins are
slanted.
2. The HVAC unit of claim 1 wherein the multi-tubes are oriented at
an angle that is closer to vertical than to horizontal.
3. The HVAC unit of claim 1 wherein the multi-tubes are oriented
substantially vertically.
4. The HVAC unit of claim 1 wherein multiple of the fins comprise
multiple louvers, wherein the louvers are slanted.
5. The HVAC unit of claim 1 wherein the HVAC unit comprises at
least two heat exchangers, each heat exchanger comprising a first
refrigerant header tube and a second refrigerant header tube,
multiple parallel multi-tubes extending from the first refrigerant
header tube to the second refrigerant header tube, the multi-tubes
being parallel to each other geometrically and arranged in parallel
with respect to the flow of the refrigerant, each multi-tube having
multiple contiguous parallel refrigerant passageways therethrough
arranged in at least one row.
6. The HVAC unit of claim 1 wherein the HVAC unit is a heat
pump.
7. The HVAC unit of claim 1 wherein the fins are slanted downward
in the air-flow direction to promote condensation run off from the
fins.
8. The heat exchanger of claim 1 wherein multiple of the
multi-tubes extend beyond the fins on at least one side of the heat
exchanger to promote runoff of condensation.
9. A building comprising the HVAC unit of claim 1.
10. A heat exchanger for transferring heat from air to a working
fluid, wherein the air may contain moisture, the heat exchanger
comprising: a first working fluid header tube; a second working
fluid header tube; multiple parallel multi-tubes extending from the
first working fluid header tube to the second working fluid header
tube, the multi-tubes being parallel to each other geometrically
and arranged in parallel with respect to flow of the working fluid,
each multi-tube having multiple contiguous parallel working fluid
passageways therethrough arranged in at least one row; multiple
fins between the multi-tubes, wherein the fins are bonded to the
multi-tubes; wherein the fins are oriented at an angle between 45
and 80 degrees from the multi-tubes.
11. An HVAC unit comprising the heat exchanger of claim 10, the
HVAC unit having a predominant air-flow direction approaching the
heat exchanger, the heat exchanger having a perpendicular direction
that is perpendicular to the first header tube, perpendicular to
the second header tube, and perpendicular to the multi-tubes,
wherein a first angle between the predominant air-flow direction
approaching the heat exchanger and the fins is less than a second
angle between the predominant air-flow direction approaching the
heat exchanger and the perpendicular direction.
12. The HVAC unit of claim 11 wherein the fins are oriented at a
third angle from the multi-tubes, wherein the third angle plus the
second angle minus the first angle, is substantially equal to 90
degrees.
13. An HVAC unit comprising the heat exchanger of claim 10, the
HVAC unit having a predominant air-flow direction after leaving the
heat exchanger, the heat exchanger having a perpendicular direction
that is perpendicular to the first header tube, perpendicular to
the second header tube, and perpendicular to the multi-tubes,
wherein a fourth angle between the predominant air-flow direction
after leaving the heat exchanger and the fins is less than a fifth
angle between the predominant air-flow direction after leaving the
heat exchanger and the perpendicular direction.
14. A method of making an HVAC unit having reduced air flow
restriction, the method comprising in any order at least the acts
of: obtaining or providing a heat exchanger having a perpendicular
direction, the heat exchanger having fins oriented at a non-zero
fin angle to the perpendicular direction; mounting the heat
exchanger within the HVAC unit in the path of air flow having a
predominant air-flow direction approaching the heat exchanger,
wherein the act of mounting the heat exchanger includes positioning
the heat exchanger so that a first angle between the predominant
air-flow direction approaching the heat exchanger and the fins is
less than a second angle between the predominant air-flow direction
approaching the heat exchanger and the perpendicular direction.
15. The method of claim 14 wherein the act of obtaining or
providing the heat exchanger comprises obtaining or providing a
heat exchanger having a first header tube and a second header tube,
wherein the perpendicular direction is perpendicular to the first
header tube and perpendicular to the second header tube.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein the act of obtaining or
providing the heat exchanger comprises obtaining or providing a
heat exchanger having multiple parallel tubes extending from the
first header tube to the second header tube, wherein the
perpendicular direction is perpendicular to the parallel tubes.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein the act of obtaining or
providing the heat exchanger comprises obtaining or providing a
heat exchanger having multiple parallel tubes that are multi-tubes,
that each have multiple parallel fluid passageways therethrough,
that each have multiple contiguous fluid passageways arranged in at
least one row, and that comprise fins mounted between the multiple
parallel tubes.
18. The method of claim 14 wherein the act of obtaining or
providing the heat exchanger comprises obtaining or providing a
heat exchanger having a fin angle that is at least 20 degrees.
19. The method of claim 14 wherein the act of mounting the heat
exchanger includes positioning the heat exchanger so that the first
angle is at least 15 degrees less than the second angle.
20. The method of claim 14 wherein the act of mounting the heat
exchanger includes positioning the heat exchanger so that the fin
angle plus the first angle is substantially equal to the second
angle.
21. The method of claim 14 wherein the act of mounting the heat
exchanger includes positioning the heat exchanger so that a fourth
angle between a predominant air-flow direction after leaving the
heat exchanger and the fins is less than a fifth angle between the
predominant air-flow direction after leaving the heat exchanger and
the perpendicular direction.
Description
RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This non-provisional utility patent application claims
priority to and incorporates by reference provisional patent
applications Ser. Nos. 61/098,523, filed on Sep. 19, 2008, titled:
HVAC UNITS, HEAT EXCHANGERS AND METHODS HAVING SLANTED FINS TO SHED
CONDENSATION, and 61/174,369, filed on Apr. 30, 2009, titled: HVAC
UNITS, HEAT EXCHANGERS AND METHODS HAVING SLANTED FINS FOR IMPROVED
AIRFLOW, both naming the same two inventors, Allan J. Reifel and
Russell W. Hoeffken.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to air conditioning units, heat
pumps, and heat exchangers, including heat exchangers used in air
conditioning units and heat pumps for buildings, to methods of
making heat exchangers, air conditioning units, and heat pumps, and
to buildings having such equipment.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Heat exchangers have been used for some time to transfer
heat from a warmer fluid to a cooler fluid, including in air
conditioning units and heating ventilating and air conditioning
(HVAC) units for cooling or heating (or both) air delivered to
spaces that people occupy, such as within buildings, vehicles, or
the like. Heat exchangers have been used to serve as evaporators
and condensers in air conditioning units and heat pumps, for
example, to transfer heat between a refrigerant and air, for
instance. In many heat exchangers, header tubes have been used as
conduits for a working fluid, such as a refrigerant, which may be
liquid, gas, or a combination thereof. Smaller tubes have extended
between header tubes, and these smaller tubes have been bonded to
fins, external to the smaller tubes, to enhance heat transfer to
the air, for example.
[0004] Micro-channel heat exchangers have been used in the prior
art in particular applications where condensation from the air and
icing of the heat exchanger was not a concern. Micro-channel heat
exchangers typically have had multiple small contiguous passageways
within the smaller tubes extending between the header tubes, and
fins have been bonded to these "multi-tubes", for example, between
the multi-tubes. Micro-channel heat exchangers have been used
successfully as condensers in air conditioning units that were not
heat pumps, for example. Rather, micro-channel heat exchangers have
been efficient and cost effective in applications where
condensation was not of concern.
[0005] Micro-channel coil designs have increasingly been employed
in residential and commercial air conditioning condenser coil
applications due to their superior performance and cost
effectiveness when compared to conventional tube-fin coils, for
example. Thus far, however, micro-channel coil designs have only
been successfully applied to air conditioner condenser coils which
are not required to handle condensate water. Micro-channel coil's
inability to drain condensate properly has prevented their use in
evaporator coils and heat pump condenser coils, which function as
evaporators during operation in the heating mode.
[0006] In prior art micro-channel heat exchangers used in air
conditioning systems, the header tubes were typically oriented
vertically in the unit at the sides of the heat exchanger, and the
multi-tubes were oriented horizontally. This configuration worked
well for condensers, where the refrigerant was warmer than the air
and condensation of moisture from the air was not of concern. But
micro-channel heat exchangers were not well suited for use as
evaporators in the past, because condensation forming on them
tended to remain in place on the fins, multi-tubes, or both. At
least under certain conditions, this condensation would freeze,
blocking the air-flow passageways. As a result, despite
disadvantages, other types of heat exchangers besides micro-channel
heat exchangers were used as evaporators in air conditioning units
and as heat exchanges that are used as evaporators in either mode
of operation (i.e., heating or cooling) in heat pumps.
[0007] In the typical construction of micro-channel coils, the fins
were folded in an accordion fashion from strip stock and brazed
between micro-channels at right angles to the channels, parallel to
the rows of passageways in the micro-channels. The fins transferred
heat to, or from, an air stream flowing at right angles to the
micro-channels. While micro-channel heat exchangers have performed
well as dry coils, they have not permitted the drainage of
condensate when wet as they have tended to "hold" the condensate in
place. This problem was exacerbated in heat pumps where defrosting
and drainage of the water is required at certain intervals to
prevent ice build-up.
[0008] Needs or potential for benefit or improvement exist for
micro-channel heat exchangers that are suitable for use as
evaporators in HVAC systems or units, for example. Further, needs
or potential for benefit or improvement exist for micro-channel
heat exchangers that more-effectively clear condensation, prevent
ice build-up, or both, as examples. Needs or potential for benefit
or improvement exist for micro-channel heat exchangers that are
inexpensive, can be readily manufactured, that are easy to install,
that are reliable, that have a long life, or a combination thereof,
as examples. In addition, needs or potential for benefit or
improvement exist for air conditioning units and heat pumps having
micro-channel heat exchangers used for evaporators that drain
condensation in an improved manner, as well as buildings having
such units. Further, needs or potential for benefit or improvement
exist for methods of manufacturing such micro-channel heat
exchangers and HVAC units using micro-channel heat exchangers as
evaporators.
[0009] In addition, heat exchangers have been used and oriented in
applications where the predominant air-flow direction approaching
or leaving the heat exchanger was not parallel to the fins within
the heat exchanger, or wherein the predominant air-flow direction
approaching or leaving the heat exchanger was not perpendicular to
the row or rows of passageways through multi-tubes. Examples
include HVAC applications wherein fins were perpendicular to the
heat exchanger, but the heat exchanger was not positioned
perpendicularly to the predominant air-flow direction approaching
or after leaving the heat exchanger.
[0010] In such applications, the air must turn at an angle in order
to pass through the heat exchanger and flow parallel to the fins or
rows, after passing through the heat exchanger, or both. In many
instances, one or both of these angles have been significant. The
resulting abrupt change in direction of flow before or after (or
both) the heat exchanger has resulted in turbulence and pressure
drop that typically must be overcome with fan energy and that may
result in noise, vibration, or both.
[0011] As an example, heat exchangers have been used and oriented
with vertical headers, horizontal parallel tubes or micro-tubes and
vertical fins between the parallel or micro-tubes. Air has been
exhausted upwards from air conditioning condensers (e.g., in split
systems) and has passed through the condenser heat exchanger
predominantly horizontally, before turning 90 degrees to be
exhausted vertically (e.g., through an axial-flow fan). This change
in direction results in turbulence and pressure drop that must be
overcome by the condenser fan. It would be desirable and beneficial
to reduce this pressure drop.
[0012] Accordingly, needs or potential for benefit exist for
reducing pressure drop resulting from abrupt changes in air-flow
direction at the entrance to or after leaving heat exchangers (or
both), reducing noise, reducing vibration, requiring less fan
energy, requiring a less powerful fan, and the like. Further, needs
or potential for benefit or improvement exist for (e.g.,
micro-channel) heat exchangers that provide for improved air flow
or reduced air-flow restriction and that are inexpensive, can be
readily manufactured, that are easy to install, that are reliable,
that have a long life, or a combination thereof, as examples. In
addition, needs or potential for benefit or improvement exist for
HVAC units having such (e.g., micro-channel) heat exchangers, as
well as buildings having such units and methods of making such HVAC
units.
[0013] Other needs or potential for benefit or improvement may also
be described herein or known in the HVAC industry. Room for
improvement exists over the prior art in these and other areas that
may be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art having
studied this document.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of part of a heat exchanger that
has slanted fins located between vertical multi-tubes;
[0015] FIG. 2 is the isometric view of the part of the heat
exchanger of FIG. 1 but showing only one column of slanted fins and
only one multi-tube;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional end view of the part of the heat
exchanger of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, showing a cross section through the
slanted fins;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a close-up isometric view of part of one column of
fins and one vertical multi-tube, which is similar to the top of
FIG. 2, except that in FIG. 4, the fins have been enhanced with
multiple louvers;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a close-up cross-sectional end view taken through
the fins of FIG. 4, similar to the top of FIG. 3 except that the
embodiment of FIG. 5 has louvers and the embodiment of FIG. 3 does
not;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a close-up, top, cross-sectional view of part of
the heat exchanger of FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 showing, among other
things, multiple contiguous passageways through the multi-tubes
that are arranged in one row per multi-tube (a close-up, top,
cross-sectional view of part of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1 to
FIG. 3 may be similar except lacking the louvers);
[0020] FIG. 7 is a top view of a flat piece of sheet metal showing
where the sheet metal can be bent to form the fins of FIG. 4, and
showing the louvers formed in three of the fins (a top view of a
flat piece for the fins of the embodiment of FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 may
be similar except lacking the louvers);
[0021] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of part of a heat exchanger that
also has slanted fins located between vertical multi-tubes, this
view showing only one column of slanted fins and only one
multi-tube, this embodiment having fins that are slanted more
steeply than the embodiments of FIG. 1 to FIG. 7;
[0022] FIG. 8a is an isometric view of part of a heat exchanger
that also has slanted fins located between vertical multi-tubes,
showing multiple columns of slanted fins and multiple multi-tubes,
this embodiment having multi-tubes that extend beyond the fins on
one side of the heat exchanger, for example, to promote runoff of
condensation;
[0023] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional end view of part an embodiment
of a heat exchanger, showing, among other things, various angles
and air-flow directions described herein;
[0024] FIG. 10 is a end view (with the end cover removed) of two
heat exchangers within a heat exchanger assembly showing the air
flow upward through the heat exchangers;
[0025] FIG. 11 is an exploded isometric view of the heat exchanger
assembly of FIG. 10 that includes two heat exchangers, also showing
the air flow upward through the heat exchangers;
[0026] FIG. 12 is an isometric assembly view of the heat exchanger
assembly of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11;
[0027] FIG. 13 is an isometric assembly view of an HVAC unit which
may contain inside the heat exchanger assembly of FIG. 10 to FIG.
12;
[0028] FIG. 14 is a end view (with the doors and end cover removed)
of the HVAC unit of FIG. 13 showing therein the two heat exchangers
and heat exchanger assembly of FIG. 10 to FIG. 12;
[0029] FIG. 15 is a side view (with the doors removed) of the HVAC
unit of FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 showing therein one of the two heat
exchangers of FIG. 10 to FIG. 12;
[0030] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional elevation view of a building
having a split-system HVAC unit; and
[0031] FIG. 17 is a flow chart illustrating various examples of
methods of making an HVAC unit, for instance.
[0032] The drawings illustrate, among other things, various
examples of embodiments of the invention, and certain examples of
characteristics thereof. Different embodiments of the invention may
include various combinations of elements or acts shown in the
drawings, described herein, known in the art, or a combination
thereof, for instance. Other embodiments may differ.
SUMMARY OF PARTICULAR EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0033] This invention provides, among other things, heat exchangers
having angled or slanted fins, louvers, or both, and heat
exchangers with non-horizontal or vertical multi-tubes, both of
which, either alone or in combination, may drain condensation
better than prior art multi-channel heat exchangers, for example.
Certain embodiments are or include HVAC units, air conditioning
units, and heat pumps having, for instance, multi-channel heat
exchangers used as evaporators, buildings having such units or heat
exchangers, and methods of manufacturing such products, as
examples. In addition, this invention provides heat exchangers
having angled or slanted fins that are used to improve air flow
through the heat exchanger (e.g., in HVAC units), HVAC units having
such heat exchangers, methods of making an HVAC unit having reduced
air flow restriction, and buildings having such units, as
examples.
[0034] Various embodiments provide, for example, as an object or
benefit, that they partially or fully address or satisfy one or
more of the needs, potential areas for benefit, or opportunities
for improvement described herein, or known in the art, as examples.
Certain embodiments provide, for example, micro-channel heat
exchangers that are suitable for use as evaporators in HVAC systems
or units, for example. Particular embodiments provide micro-channel
heat exchangers that more-effectively clear condensation, prevent
ice build-up, or both, as examples. Further, various embodiments
provide, for example, HVAC units that utilize (e.g., micro-channel)
heat exchangers that provide less restriction to air flow in the
configuration used than prior art alternatives. In some
embodiments, heat exchangers having angled fins allow the heat
exchangers to be arranged or oriented differently (e.g., within an
HVAC unit) providing for better space utilization, alternate
styling, less air-flow restriction, less noise, less vibration, or
a combination thereof, as examples. In a number of embodiments,
reductions in air-flow restriction save energy, allow use of
smaller fans or fan motors, reduce noise, or a combination thereof,
for instance. Even further, certain embodiments provide for
micro-channel heat exchangers that are inexpensive, can be readily
manufactured, that are easy to install, that are reliable, that
have a long life, or a combination thereof, as examples.
[0035] Specific embodiments of the invention include various HVAC
units, and buildings having HVAC units, as examples. In a number of
embodiments, at least one heat exchanger in the HVAC unit has a
predominant air-flow direction, and includes a first refrigerant
header tube, a second refrigerant header tube, and multiple
parallel multi-tubes extending from the first refrigerant header
tube to the second refrigerant header tube, for example. In a
number of embodiments, the multi-tubes may be parallel to each
other geometrically, arranged in parallel with respect to flow of
the refrigerant, or both, as examples. Further, each multi-tube may
have, for example, multiple contiguous parallel refrigerant
passageways therethrough, which may be arranged in at least one
row, for instance. Further, in many embodiments, each heat
exchanger module includes multiple fins between the multi-tubes.
The fins may be bonded to the multi-tubes, for instance, and the
multi-tubes may be oriented non-horizontally in the HVAC unit, for
example, with the fins slanted (e.g., from horizontal).
[0036] In certain embodiments, the multi-tubes may be oriented at
an angle that is closer to vertical than to horizontal, or may be
oriented substantially vertically, as examples. Further, in some
embodiments, multiple of the fins may include multiple louvers, and
the louvers may be slanted, for example. Moreover, the HVAC unit
may include, in various embodiments, at least two heat exchangers,
each heat exchanger having, for example, a first refrigerant header
tube and a second refrigerant header tube, and multiple parallel
multi-tubes extending from the first refrigerant header tube to the
second refrigerant header tube, for instance. In particular
embodiments, in both heat exchangers, the multi-tubes may be
parallel to each other geometrically, arranged in parallel with
respect to the flow of the refrigerant, or both, and each
multi-tube may have, for example, multiple contiguous parallel
refrigerant passageways therethrough arranged in at least one
row.
[0037] In some embodiments, the fins may be slanted downward in the
air-flow direction, for example, to promote condensation run off
from the fins. In certain embodiments, the HVAC unit may be a heat
pump, for example, and facilitating runoff of condensation may
allow the use of micro-channel heat exchangers (e.g., as
evaporators). On the other hand, in other embodiments, the fins may
be slanted (e.g., either downward or upward in the air-flow
direction), for example, to reduce air-flow restriction (e.g., fins
may be slanted upward where the predominant air-flow direction
approaching or leaving the heat exchanger has an upward component),
for instance. Further, in some embodiments, some or all of the
multi-tubes may extend beyond the fins on at least one side of the
heat exchanger to promote runoff of condensation.
[0038] Other specific embodiments include various heat exchangers,
for example, for transferring heat from air that may contain
moisture, to a working fluid. In various embodiments, such heat
exchangers may include a first working fluid header tube, a second
working fluid header tube, and multiple parallel multi-tubes
extending from the first working fluid header tube to the second
working fluid header tube, for example. As in other embodiments,
the multi-tubes may be parallel to each other geometrically,
arranged in parallel with respect to flow of the working fluid, or
both. And in many embodiments, each multi-tube may have, for
example, multiple contiguous parallel working fluid passageways
therethrough, which may be arranged in at least one row, for
example. In various embodiments, there may be multiple fins between
the multi-tubes, which may be bonded to the multi-tubes, and the
fins may be oriented at an angle between 45 and 80 degrees from the
multi-tubes, for example.
[0039] Other embodiments include various HVAC units that include
such heat exchangers. In particular embodiments, such HVAC units
may have, for example, a predominant air-flow direction approaching
the heat exchanger and the heat exchanger may have a perpendicular
direction that may be perpendicular to the first header tube,
perpendicular to the second header tube, perpendicular to the
multi-tubes, or a combination thereof, for example. In a number of
embodiments, a first angle may exist between the predominant
air-flow direction approaching the heat exchanger and the fins, and
this first angle may be less than a second angle between the
predominant air-flow direction approaching the heat exchanger and
the perpendicular direction, for example. Further, in certain
embodiments, the fins may be oriented at a third angle from the
multi-tubes, and the third angle plus the second angle minus the
first angle may be substantially equal to 90 degrees, for instance.
Moreover, in some embodiments, an HVAC unit may have, for example,
a predominant air-flow direction after leaving the heat exchanger,
and a fourth angle between the predominant air-flow direction after
leaving the heat exchanger and the fins may be less than a fifth
angle between the predominant air-flow direction after leaving the
heat exchanger and the perpendicular direction.
[0040] Still other specific embodiments include various methods,
for instance, of making an HVAC unit that may have, for example,
reduced air flow restriction. Such methods may include, in various
embodiments, in various sequences, at least certain acts. Such acts
may include, for instance, obtaining or providing a heat exchanger
that may have, for example, fins oriented at a non-zero fin angle
to a perpendicular direction (e.g., perpendicular to the heat
exchanger). Other acts that may be found in such methods may
involve mounting the heat exchanger within the HVAC unit in the
path of air flow approaching the heat exchanger, and positioning
the heat exchanger so that a first angle between the predominant
air-flow direction approaching the heat exchanger and the fins is
less than a second angle between the predominant air-flow direction
approaching the heat exchanger and the perpendicular direction.
[0041] In a number of embodiments, the act of obtaining or
providing the heat exchanger may include obtaining or providing a
heat exchanger having a first header tube and a second header tube,
and the perpendicular direction may be perpendicular to the first
header tube, perpendicular to the second header tube, or both, as
examples. Further, in some embodiments, the act of obtaining or
providing the heat exchanger may include obtaining or providing a
heat exchanger having, for example, multiple parallel tubes
extending from the first header tube to the second header tube. In
some embodiments, the perpendicular direction may be perpendicular
to the parallel tubes, for instance. Moreover, in some embodiments,
the act of obtaining or providing the heat exchanger may include,
obtaining or providing a heat exchanger that may have, for example,
multiple parallel tubes that are multi-tubes, that each have
multiple parallel fluid passageways therethrough, for example. In a
number of specific embodiments, for example, the multi-tubes may
each have multiple contiguous fluid passageways, for instance,
arranged in at least one row, and in many embodiments there may be
fins mounted between the multiple parallel tubes.
[0042] In various embodiments, a heat exchanger may have, for
example, a fin angle that is at least 20 degrees. Further, in some
embodiments, the act of mounting the heat exchanger may include
positioning the heat exchanger so that the first angle is at least
15 degrees less than the second angle. Even further, in some
embodiments, the act of mounting the heat exchanger may include
positioning the heat exchanger so that the fin angle plus the first
angle may be substantially equal to the second angle, as another
example. Further still, in some embodiments, the act of mounting
the heat exchanger includes positioning the heat exchanger so that
a fourth angle between a predominant air-flow direction after
leaving the heat exchanger and the fins is less than a fifth angle
between the predominant air-flow direction after leaving the heat
exchanger and the perpendicular direction, as yet another
example.
[0043] In addition, various other embodiments of the invention are
also described herein, and other benefits of a number of
embodiments may be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the
art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Various embodiments include heating, ventilating, and air
conditioning (HVAC) units and systems, heat exchangers, buildings
having such equipment, and methods of manufacturing HVAC units,
systems, and heat exchangers, for example. As used herein "HVAC
units" include air conditioning units (e.g., direct expansion
units), heat pumps, split systems, packaged units, air handlers
(e.g., indoor units for split systems), and condensing units (e.g.,
outdoor units for split systems), as examples.
[0045] A number of embodiments include improvements over prior
technology that promote draining of condensation from heat
exchangers, such as evaporators, that reduce air-flow restriction
through the heat exchanger, or both, as examples. Particular
embodiments involve slopping fins, louvers, or both, for example,
downward in the direction of air flow or upward in the direction of
air flow. In some embodiments, micro-channels or multi-tubes are
also sloped or are oriented at or near vertical, which may be used,
for instance, to provide a pathway for condensation thereon, to
allow the fins to be angled to reduce air-flow restriction, or
both, as examples.
[0046] Different embodiments utilize slanted fin profiles (e.g.,
between adjacent micro-channels) to facilitate the drainage of
condensate, to improve air flow, or both. This may cause the air
flow to traverse the coil at an angle (e.g., as opposed to being
perpendicular to the heat exchanger). In some embodiments, the
slanted or angled construction or orientation of the fins causes or
encourages the condensate to flow downhill at each
fin-to-micro-channel interface and onto the nose of the
micro-channel or multi-tube, for example, where the condensation
may flow downward unimpeded, for instance. Coils or heat exchangers
built in this fashion may perform satisfactorily as evaporators and
as heat pump condensers, for example.
[0047] In other embodiments, removal of condensation may not be as
important as reducing air-flow restriction, and fins may be angled
so that air flows upward through the heat exchanger (e.g., past the
fins) to reduce air-flow restriction in situations where upward air
flow is desirable. In particular embodiments, effective
condensation removal and reduction in air-flow restriction may both
be accomplished.
[0048] FIG. 1 to FIG. 12 and FIG. 14 to FIG. 15 illustrate examples
of (all or part of some) heat exchangers, and FIGS. 13 to FIG. 15
illustrate an example of an HVAC unit having at least one (e.g.,
such) heat exchanger. In addition, FIG. 16 illustrates a building
having an HVAC unit (e.g., the unit of FIG. 13 to FIG. 15 plus an
outdoor portion) and an HVAC system. In FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, first
header tube 11 is attached to multi-tubes 13 that fit into slots 22
(shown in FIG. 2) in first header tube 11. Slanted fins 15, in this
embodiment, are located between multi-tubes 13. As used herein,
"slanted" means not horizontal and not vertical. Specifically,
"slanted" means more than five (5) degrees from horizontal and more
than five (5) degrees from vertical. When referring to
micro-channel heat exchangers, for example, whether or not a fin
(e.g., 15) is slanted is measured along the centerline of the fin
midway between adjacent micro-channels (e.g., multi-tubes 13). In
the embodiment illustrated, first header tube 11, multi-tubes 13,
and fins 15 form part of (e.g., a portion of) heat exchanger 10. A
complete heat exchanger 10 would also have a top or second header
tube, multi-tubes 13 would be longer (e.g., taller), and there
would be more multi-tubes 13 and more columns of fins 15. In this
embodiment, fins 15 of heat exchanger 10 lack enhancements such as
louvers. In many embodiments, fins 15 are bonded to multi-tubes 13,
for example, via brazing.
[0049] FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 illustrate another embodiment of a heat
exchanger, heat exchanger 40, that has louvers 56 formed in fins 45
to enhance heat transfer between heat exchanger 40 and air passing
by fins 45. Heat exchangers 10 and 40 may be similar other than
louvers 56. As seen in FIG. 6, multi-tubes 13 comprise multiple
(e.g., 10) contiguous passageways 601 to 610, for example, for
refrigerant. In the embodiment illustrated, the multiple contiguous
passageways 601 to 610 of each multi-tube 13 are arranged in a row
63 (e.g., one row 63 per multi-tube 13).
[0050] Further, FIG. 7 shows a flat pattern for fins 45 of heat
exchanger 40, as an example of a slant fin flat pattern. (A flat
pattern for fins 15 of heat exchanger 10 may be similar, except
lacking louvers 56.) Flat sheet metal may be cut and bent as shown
to form the fins (e.g., 45), for example. Louvers 56 may be cut in
rows at an angle and bent up or down as shown. Then the metal may
be bent back and forth between the louvers to form the slanted or
angled fins (e.g., 15, 45, or 85) at the desired angle. In FIG. 7,
louvers 56 are only shown for the three fins on the left, but in
many embodiments, louvers 56 would be formed on each fin (e.g., of
fins 45). In FIG. 7, the linear dimensions shown are in inches. The
dimensions, angles, and enhancements shown are examples. Other
embodiments may differ.
[0051] FIG. 8 shows part of another example of a heat exchanger
with slanted fins, heat exchanger 80, which has fins 85. Heat
exchanger 80 also includes first header tube 11 and multi-tubes 13
(only one shown), similar to previously described embodiments. Heat
exchanger 80 has fins 85 set at a steeper angle, however, than fins
15 and 45 of the previously described embodiments. As illustrated,
fins 85 also have enhancements, which may be louvers similar to
louvers 56, for example.
[0052] FIG. 8a shows part of another example of a heat exchanger
with slanted fins, heat exchanger 81, which also has fins 85
similar to heat exchanger 80. Heat exchanger 81 also includes first
header tube 11, similar to previously described embodiments, but
has multi-tubes 83 (seven shown) that extend beyond fins 85 on the
right side of heat exchanger 81, for example, to promote runoff of
condensation down nose or projecting edge 86 of multi-tubes 83.
Multi-tubes 83 may be similar to multi-tubes 13 except for this
different dimension, the number of contiguous passageways (e.g.,
601 to 610 shown in FIG. 6) therein, or both, for example. Heat
exchanger 81 also has fins 85 set at a steeper angle, for example,
than fins 15 and 45 of some of the previously described
embodiments.
[0053] FIG. 9 illustrates, among other things, various directions
and angles that may be found in different embodiments of heat
exchangers and equipment (e.g., HVAC units) that include heat
exchangers. Heat exchanger 90 may be, for example, heat exchanger
10, heat exchanger 40, heat exchanger 80, heat exchanger 81, or a
different embodiment heat exchanger, for instance. In the
embodiment illustrated, air approaches heat exchanger 90 at a
predominant air-flow direction 96. Fins 95 (e.g., fins 15, 45, or
85) turn the air so that the air flows parallel to the fins at
predominant air-flow direction 97 within heat exchanger 90. In some
embodiments, when the air leaves heat exchanger 90 and leaves fins
95, the air changes direction to the predominant air-flow direction
98 leaving heat exchanger 90. In a number of embodiments, such
changes in direction may not be abrupt, but may occur (e.g., for a
particular molecule of air) over a certain time or distance, for
instance.
[0054] Certain angles shown in FIG. 9 include fin angle 93 between
fin 95 and perpendicular direction 99. Perpendicular direction 99
may be perpendicular to heat exchanger 90, perpendicular to first
header tube 11, perpendicular to multi-tubes 13, perpendicular to
the passageways (e.g., 601 to 610 shown in FIG. 6) within
multi-tubes 13, or a combination thereof, as examples. Further,
first angle 901 is between the predominant air-flow direction 96
approaching heat exchanger 90 and fins 95, and second angle 902 is
between the predominant air-flow direction 96 approaching heat
exchanger 90 and perpendicular direction 99. Moreover, third angle
903 is between fins 95 and adjacent multi-tube 13, fourth angle 904
is between the predominant air-flow direction 98 leaving heat
exchanger 90 and fins 95, and fifth angle 905 is between the
predominant air-flow direction 98 leaving heat exchanger 90 and
perpendicular direction 99.
[0055] FIG. 10 to FIG. 15 illustrate how two heat exchangers 100
may be arranged in an HVAC unit 130, for example. Heat exchangers
100 may be heat exchanger 10, 40, 80, 81, or 90, as examples, or
may be a different embodiment. FIG. 10 to FIG. 12 and FIG. 14 also
illustrate that heat exchangers (e.g., 100) may include a second
header tube 102 located at the top of the heat exchanger, which may
be attached to multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83) similarly to first
header tube 11, for instance. FIG. 10 to FIG. 12 and FIG. 14 also
illustrate the air-flow direction through heat exchangers 100 from
a predominant air-flow direction 96 approaching the heat exchangers
100 to a predominant air-flow direction 98 leaving the heat
exchangers 100, in this embodiment.
[0056] A number of embodiments include at least one HVAC unit
(e.g., 130 shown in FIG. 13 to FIG. 15)) having at least one heat
exchanger (e.g., 90 or 100) that has a predominant air-flow
direction (e.g., 97 shown in FIG. 9). The predominant air-flow
direction (e.g., 97) may be from one side of the heat exchanger to
the other, for example, through the heat exchanger (e.g., from the
right side to the left side as shown in FIG. 9). In various
embodiments, the heat exchanger (e.g., 90 or 100) may include a
first refrigerant header or header tube (e.g., 11) and a second
refrigerant header or header tube (e.g., 102 shown in FIG. 10 to
FIG. 12 and FIG. 14), and multiple parallel multi-tubes (e.g., 13
or 83) extending from the first refrigerant header or header tube
(e.g., 11) to the second refrigerant header or header tube (e.g.,
102), for example.
[0057] Headers and header tubes described herein (e.g., 11 and 102)
may have a round, square, rectangular, or other cross section, for
example, which may be a continuous cross-section, or may be a cross
section that varies in size, shape, or both, over the length of the
header tube, as examples. Round cross-section header tubes are
shown (e.g., in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 and FIG. 8 to FIG. 12), with a
continuous size and shape cross-section, with slots (e.g., 22 shown
in FIG. 2) formed therein to receive the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or
83). In some embodiments, the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83) may be
parallel to each other geometrically (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1,
FIG. 6, and FIG. 8a), arranged in parallel with respect to flow of
the refrigerant (e.g., as shown in the embodiments illustrated), or
both, for example.
[0058] As used herein, "parallel", when referring to a geometric
arrangement, means parallel to within two degrees, and
"substantially parallel", means parallel to within five degrees.
Further, as used herein, "arranged in parallel with respect to flow
of the refrigerant" means that the flow of refrigerant is divided
between the passageways that are said to be arranged in parallel
with respect to flow of the refrigerant, for example, multi-tubes.
In some embodiments, the predominant air-flow direction (e.g., 97
shown in FIG. 9) may be perpendicular to the first refrigerant
header tube (e.g., 13 or 83), perpendicular to the second
refrigerant header tube (e.g., 102 shown in FIG. 10 to FIG. 12 and
FIG. 14), or both, for example.
[0059] In various embodiments, each multi-tube (e.g., 13 shown in
detail in FIG. 6) may have multiple contiguous parallel refrigerant
passageways (e.g., 601 to 610) therethrough, which may be arranged
in at least one row (e.g., row 63 as shown in FIG. 6) in some
embodiments, for example. Rows (e.g., 63) described herein may be
straight (e.g., as shown in FIG. 6) or may be curved in some
embodiments, as examples. The multiple contiguous parallel
refrigerant passageways (e.g., 601 to 610) may be parallel (e.g.,
geometrically, with respect to the flow of refrigerant, or both) to
each other, for instance, and parallel to the multi-tube (e.g., 13
or 83), for example. In some cases, multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83)
may be referred to as micro-channels. As used herein, rows (e.g.,
63) of contiguous refrigerant passageways (e.g., 601 to 610) are
perpendicular to the multi-tubes (e.g., 13) or micro-channels, as
shown.
[0060] As the name "micro-channel" implies, each of the contiguous
refrigerant passageways (e.g., 601 to 610) may be fairly small, for
example, in comparison to single-channel tubing in other heat
exchanger configurations, for instance. The reduced size and
increased number of refrigerant passageways (e.g., 601 to 610) may
enhance heat transfer between the refrigerant and the material or
walls of the heat exchanger (e.g., of multi-tubes 13), for example,
by providing more surface area than alternatives, by providing
turbulence, or both, as examples.
[0061] As shown in the drawings, in a number of embodiments, each
heat exchanger module includes multiple fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or
95) between the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83), which may help to
transfer heat between the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83) and the air,
for example. In a number of embodiments, the fins (e.g., 15, 45,
85, or 95) are bonded to the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83), for
example, to promote heat transfer between the fins (e.g., 15, 45,
85, or 95) and the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83), to provide for
structural strength of the heat exchanger, or both, as examples.
Bonding of the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) to the multi-tubes
(e.g., 13 or 83) may be accomplished with solder or brazing, as
examples.
[0062] In various embodiments, the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83) are
oriented non-horizontally in the HVAC unit, at an angle that is
closer to vertical than to horizontal (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9 and
FIG. 10 to FIG. 12), substantially vertically, or even vertically
(e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, FIG. 8, and FIG. 8a), as
examples. Such an orientation of the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83)
may help to drain condensation from the heat exchanger, in some
embodiments, by acting as a pathway for condensation to travel
along (e.g., down) while adhering to the exterior of the multi-tube
(e.g., 13 or 83) through surface tension, for example. As used
herein, "non-horizontal means at least 7 degrees from horizontal.
Further, as used herein, "substantially vertically" means vertical
to within 5 degrees, and "vertically" means vertical to within 2
degrees. In addition, as used herein, words that indicate
direction, such as vertical, horizontal, above, below, up, down,
downward, upward, and the like, refer to the orientation in which
the HVAC unit (e.g., 130 shown in FIG. 13 to FIG. 16 or 161 shown
in FIG. 16), air conditioning unit, heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40,
80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600), or the like, is normally installed.
[0063] In some embodiments, the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95),
mentioned above, are slanted downward, for example, in the air-flow
direction. In various embodiments, the air-flow direction may be
the predominant air-flow direction (e.g., 97 shown in FIG. 9) of
the heat exchanger (e.g., 90), or of part of the heat exchanger,
for example, or the air-flow direction may be perpendicular to the
refrigerant flow direction in the multi-tubes (i.e., perpendicular
to the multi-tubes 13 or 83), perpendicular to the refrigerant flow
direction in the headers (e.g., 11 and 102), parallel to the rows
(e.g., 63), parallel to the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95), or a
combination thereof, as examples. In FIG. 3, for instance, in
embodiments in which the fins 15 slope downward in the air-flow
direction, the (e.g., predominant) air-flow direction is from left
to right, or from left to right at a downward angle parallel to
fins 15, in various embodiments.
[0064] In some embodiments, the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) are
slanted (e.g., downward in the air-flow direction) at an angle from
horizontal that is greater than 5 degrees, greater than 7 degrees,
greater than 10 degrees, between 5 degrees and 60 degrees, between
7 degrees and 45 degrees, between 10 degrees and 30 degrees,
between 15 degrees and 25 degrees, between 17.5 degrees and 22.5
degrees, or 20 degrees (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 7), as
examples. The angle of the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) from
horizontal (e.g., fin angle 93 shown in FIG. 9 in embodiments where
the multi-tubes 13 are oriented vertically) used may be determined
empirically, for example, and may be selected, in some embodiments,
to promote the drainage of condensate from the coil (e.g., from
fins 15 or 45 shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 7), while avoiding excessive
air-flow restriction, for instance.
[0065] In some embodiments, the angled fin profiles may be formed
by feeding strip stock into a forming mechanism at a desired angle
or by using helical gears, as another example, or by other forming
mechanisms. Fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) may be formed by bending
or folding sheet metal back and forth, for instance (e.g., as shown
in FIG. 1, FIG. 2, FIG. 4, and FIG. 7). In some embodiments that
have louvers or lances (e.g., louvers 56 shown in FIG. 4 to FIG.
7), the louvers or lances may be arrayed at the same angle in the
strip stock from which the fins (e.g., 45 or 85) are being formed,
for instance. The drawings illustrate certain examples.
Specifically, FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 and FIG. 9 show a plain fin and FIG.
4 to FIG. 8a show a louvered or lanced (e.g., with louvers 56) fin
type.
[0066] In some embodiments, some, multiple or all of the fins
(e.g., 45 and 85) include multiple enhancements, such as lances or
louvers 56, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 8a. In
particular embodiments, the louvers are slanted (e.g., downward in
the air-flow direction), for instance, more steeply than the fins
(e.g., 45 shown in FIG. 4). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG.
4, each fin 45 has 13 louvers, each defined by a bend and three
cuts, one long cut and two shorter cuts. In the embodiment
illustrated, the bend is about 45 degrees. Other embodiments may
have 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19,
20, or 25 louvers per fin, and may have bends of 20, 30, 35, 40,
50, 55, 60, or 70 degrees, as examples. Other embodiments may have
other shape or type louvers or enhancements, many of which may be
known in the art of heat exchanger design.
[0067] Certain embodiments of air conditioning or HVAC units have
just one micro-channel heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, or
90), while other embodiments may have (at least) two micro-channel
heat exchangers, for instance, used as the evaporator and the
condenser. Specifically, in some embodiments, an HVAC unit includes
at least two heat exchangers, each heat exchanger having a first
refrigerant header tube (e.g., 11 shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3) and a
second refrigerant header tube (e.g., 102 shown in FIG. 10 to FIG.
12) and multiple parallel multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83) extending
from the first refrigerant header tube (e.g., 11) to the second
refrigerant header tube (e.g., 102). In many such embodiments, the
multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83) may be parallel to each other
geometrically, arranged in parallel with respect to the flow of the
refrigerant, or both, for example.
[0068] In some such embodiments, each multi-tube (e.g., 13 or 83)
may have multiple contiguous parallel refrigerant passageways
(e.g., 601 to 610 shown in FIG. 6) therethrough arranged, for
example, in at least one row (e.g., 63). In FIG. 6, for example,
each multi-tube 13 has ten (10) contiguous parallel refrigerant
passageways 601 to 610 therethrough arranged in one row 63. In
other embodiments, multi-tubes (e.g., otherwise similar to
multi-tube 13) may have 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15,
16, 18, 20, 22, 25, 30, 35, or 40 contiguous parallel refrigerant
passageways therethrough, for example, arranged, for instance, in
1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 rows, for instance.
[0069] In some embodiments, the HVAC unit (e.g., 130, or 130 plus
outdoor unit 161 shown in FIG. 16) includes at least two heat
exchangers (e.g., at least one heat exchanger 100 shown in FIG. 14
plus at least one heat exchanger 1600 shown in FIG. 16), each of
which may be a micro-channel heat exchanger, for example, and may
have fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95), multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83),
and a predominant air-flow direction (e.g., 97), for instance. In
some embodiments, in both heat exchangers (e.g., 100 and 1600), the
multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83) are oriented non-horizontally in the
HVAC unit (e.g., unit 130, unit 161, or both), the fins (e.g., 15,
45, 85, or 95) are slanted (e.g., downward in the air-flow
direction), or both, as examples. In particular such embodiments,
the HVAC unit (e.g., 130, 161, or both) is a heat pump, for
example, and in both the evaporator (e.g., 100) and condenser
(e.g., 1600) (e.g., the later used as an evaporator in the heating
mode), the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83) are oriented
non-horizontally, the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) are slanted
(e.g., downward in the air-flow direction), or both, as
examples.
[0070] Another example of an embodiment is specifically a heat
exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600), for instance,
for transferring heat from air to a working fluid. Such a working
fluid may be a refrigerant, such as Freon, for example, or may be
another heat-conducting fluid such as water, ethylene glycol, or a
combination of water and ethylene glycol, as examples. Different
embodiments of such a heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90,
100, or 1600) may be used in environments where the air may contain
moisture (e.g., of a sufficient humidity that condensation would
occur at a working temperature of the heat exchanger).
[0071] In various embodiments, such a heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40,
80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) may include a first working fluid header
tube (e.g., 11 shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, FIG. 8, FIG. 8a, and FIG.
11), a second working fluid header tube (e.g., 102 shown in FIG. 10
to FIG. 12 and FIG. 14), and multiple parallel multi-tubes (e.g.,
13 or 83) extending from the first working fluid header tube (e.g.,
11) to the second working fluid header tube (e.g., 102), for
example. In certain embodiments, the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83)
may be parallel to each other geometrically, arranged in parallel
with respect to flow of the working fluid, or both, for example. In
particular embodiments, each multi-tube (e.g., 13 or 83) may have
multiple contiguous parallel working fluid passageways therethrough
(e.g., 601 to 610 shown in FIG. 6) arranged, for instance, in at
least one row (e.g., 63). In some embodiments, there are multiple
fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) between the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or
83), which may be bonded to the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83), for
instance.
[0072] In some embodiments, the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) of
the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) are
oriented at an angle that is less than 80 degrees, that is less
than 75 degrees, that is between 45 and 80 degrees, between 60 and
80 degrees, between 65 and 75 degrees, between 67.5 and 72.5
degrees or at an angle of 70 degrees (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1 to
FIG. 3) from the multi-tubes (e.g., 13), for example. As used
herein, such an angle is measured from the centerline of the flow
passageways (e.g., 601 to 610) in the direction of the working
fluid or refrigerant flow, for example. In some embodiments of a
heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600), the first
working fluid header tube (e.g., 11) is substantially parallel to,
or parallel to, the second working fluid header tube (e.g., 102),
as examples. Further, in a number of embodiments, the multi-tubes
(e.g., 13 or 83) are substantially perpendicular to, or
perpendicular to, the first working fluid header tube (e.g., 11),
for example. As used herein, "perpendicular" means perpendicular to
within 2 degrees, and "substantially perpendicular" means
perpendicular to within 5 degrees. In the embodiments shown, the
rows (e.g., 63 as shown in FIG. 6) are perpendicular to the
multi-tubes (e.g., 13) and the rows (e.g., 63) are perpendicular to
the first working fluid header tube (e.g., 11), for example.
[0073] Other embodiments include a building (e.g., 165 shown in
FIG. 16) that includes an HVAC unit (e.g., indoor unit or air
handler 130, outdoor unit or condenser 160, or both), an HVAC
system (e.g., 160), an air conditioning unit (e.g., evaporator,
indoor unit, or air handler 130, outdoor unit or condenser 160, or
both), a heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600)
described herein, or a combination thereof, as examples. Or various
embodiments of buildings (e.g., 165) may include an HVAC unit, HVAC
system, or air conditioning unit, having a heat exchanger (e.g.,
10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) described herein, as examples.
Such a building (e.g., 165) may include walls 162 and roof 163, and
may form an enclosure 164 or enclose an (e.g., occupied) space 166,
for example. Building 165 or HVAC system 160 may include, besides
an HVAC unit (e.g., indoor unit or air handler 130, outdoor unit or
condenser 160, or both), supply and return air ductwork (e.g.,
supply ductwork 167 shown), registers (e.g., 168), an air filter
(e.g., 169), a thermostat or controller (e.g., 1610), a
condensation drain (e.g., 1630), or a combination thereof, for
example. HVAC units (e.g., indoor unit or air handler 130, outdoor
unit or condenser 160, or both) may include a compressor,
evaporator and condenser fans (e.g., evaporator fan 142 shown in
FIG. 14 and FIG. 15 and evaporator fan 1650 shown in FIG. 16),
motors for the compressor and fans, a housing (e.g., 135 shown in
FIG. 13 to FIG. 16), wiring, controls (e.g., thermostat or
controller 1610), refrigerant tubing (e.g., 1640 shown in FIG. 16),
an expansion valve, and the like. In different embodiments, HVAC
units may be packaged units or may be spit systems (e.g., indoor
unit or air handler 130, outdoor unit or condenser 160, or both),
as examples.
[0074] Various embodiments include HVAC units that have a heat
exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) that has angled
or slanted fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95), for instance, as
described herein. As an example, FIG. 13 to FIG. 16, illustrate an
example of an HVAC unit or air handler 130 that includes a heat
exchanger (e.g., 100) having slanted fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95
shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 8a) that may be used to reduce air-flow
restriction, which may thereby improve air flow, for example. The
heat exchanger fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) of a number of
embodiments may be angled or slanted as shown, for example, or as
described in various embodiments herein.
[0075] In some embodiments, the HVAC unit (e.g., 130) may have a
predominant air-flow direction (e.g., 96 shown in FIG. 9)
approaching the heat exchanger (e.g., 90), and the heat exchanger
(e.g., 90) may have a perpendicular direction (e.g., 99) that may
be perpendicular, for instance, to the first header tube (e.g.,
11), to the second header tube (e.g., 102), to the multi-tubes
(e.g., 13 or 83), or a combination thereof, as examples. Further,
in FIG. 10 and FIG. 14, and end view shows two heat exchangers 100
and a thick arrow with portion 96 that represents the predominant
air-flow direction approaching heat exchangers 100. In this
illustration, the predominant air-flow direction 96 approaching the
heat exchanger (e.g., 100) is vertically up. In FIG. 9, the
predominant air-flow direction 96 approaching the heat exchanger
(e.g., 90) is also vertically up. In other embodiments, however,
the predominant air-flow direction approaching the heat exchanger
may be in another direction such as vertically down, angled
downward, horizontal, or angled upward, as other examples.
[0076] Referring to FIG. 9, in some embodiments, including the
embodiment illustrated, first angle 901 between predominant
air-flow direction 96 approaching the heat exchanger 90 and the
fins 95, is less than second angle 902 between the predominant
air-flow direction 96 approaching the heat exchanger 90 and
perpendicular direction 99. In some embodiments, the difference
between first angle 901 and second angle 902 provides benefit at
reducing air-flow restriction or improving air flow, for instance,
because it is not necessary to change the direction of air flow as
much as if, as in the prior art, the fins were parallel to
perpendicular direction 99.
[0077] In some embodiments, a heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81,
90, 100, or 1600), which may be for transferring heat between air
and a working fluid (e.g., a refrigerant), may have, for example, a
first working fluid header tube (e.g., 11), a second working fluid
header tube (e.g., 102), and multiple parallel tubes (e.g.,
multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83)) extending, for instance, from the
first working fluid header tube (e.g., 11) to the second working
fluid header tube (e.g., 102). In some embodiments, the parallel
tubes (e.g., the multi-tubes 13 or 83) may be parallel to each
other geometrically, arranged in parallel with respect to flow of
the working fluid, or both. And in certain embodiments, each
parallel tube or multi-tube (e.g., 13 or 83) may have multiple
contiguous parallel working fluid passageways (e.g., 601 to 610
shown in FIG. 6) therethrough, which may be arranged in at least
one row (e.g., 63), for instance.
[0078] In a number of embodiments, there may be multiple fins
(e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) between the parallel tube or multi-tubes
(e.g., 13 or 83), and the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) may be
bonded to the parallel tubes or multi-tubes. In particular
embodiments, the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) may be oriented at
an angle (e.g., third angle 903 shown in FIG. 9), which may be
between 30 and 80 degrees from the parallel tubes or multi-tubes
(e.g., 13 or 83), or between 45 and 80 degrees from the parallel
tubes or multi-tubes for instance. Other ranges for third angle 903
include: between 20 and 80 degrees, between 30 and 70 degrees,
between 10 and 60 degrees, between 30 and 60 degrees, between 40
and 55 degrees, between 45 and 50 degrees, and between 40 and 50
degrees. Other ranges for third angle 903, which may correspond to
other embodiments, may be described herein.
[0079] Still referring to FIG. 9, in various embodiments, first
angle 901 is at least 5 degrees less than second angle 902, at
least 10 degrees less than second angle 902, or at least 15 degrees
less than second angle 902, as examples. Further, in certain
embodiments, first angle 901 is at least 20 degrees less than
second angle 902, at least 25 degrees less than second angle 902,
at least 30 degrees less than second angle 902, at least 35 degrees
less than second angle 902, at least 40 degrees less than second
angle 902, or at least 45 degrees less than second angle 902, as
other examples.
[0080] Further, in some embodiments first angle 901 is about 47.5
degrees less than second angle 902, or is 47.5 degrees less than
second angle 902, as examples. As used herein, the word "about",
when referring to angles, means plus or minus ten percent of the
angle. Further, as used herein, without the word "about", (or
another modifier), unless stated otherwise, the tolerance on angles
to the nearest whole degree. For example, 47.5 degrees, without a
modifier and unless stated otherwise, means more than 47 degrees
and less than 48 degrees. Further, in some embodiments, first angle
901 is no more than 45 degrees less than second angle 902, first
angle 901 is no more than 50 degrees less than second angle 902,
first angle 901 is no more than 55 degrees less than second angle
902, first angle 901 is no more than 60 degrees less than second
angle 902, first angle 901 is no more than 65 degrees less than
second angle 902, or first angle 901 is no more than 70 degrees
less than second angle 902, as further examples.
[0081] In a number of embodiments, the fins (e.g., 95 shown in FIG.
9) are oriented at a third angle 903 from the multi-tubes (e.g., 13
or 83), and third angle 903 plus second angle 902 minus first angle
901, is substantially equal to 90 degrees. As used herein,
"substantially equal", when referring to an angle, means equal to
within 5 degrees. In particular embodiments, third angle 903 plus
second angle 902 minus first angle 901, is equal to 90 degrees
(i.e., to the nearest degree).
[0082] In particular embodiments, a heat exchanger, or a heat
exchanger of an HVAC unit (e.g., 130, 161, or both), may be a
micro-channel heat exchanger, for instance, and the fins may extend
beyond the micro-channels on at least one side of the heat
exchanger. In some embodiments, for example, the fins may be wider
than the micro-channels, and the fins may extend beyond the
micro-channels on one or both sides of the heat exchanger. Having
larger fins may promote heat transfer for a given size
micro-channel, in some embodiments.
[0083] On the other hand, in some embodiments, multiple (e.g., some
or all) micro-channels or multi-tubes (e.g., 83 shown in FIG. 8a)
may extend beyond the fins (e.g., 85) on at least one side of the
heat exchanger, for instance, to promote runoff of condensation
along the nose or extending edge (e.g., 86) of the multi-channel
(e.g., 83). In a number of embodiments, the micro-channels may be
oriented non-horizontally, closer to vertical than to horizontal,
substantially vertically, or vertically (e.g., as shown in FIG.
8a), as examples, facilitating flow of condensation which may be
attached to the micro-channels (e.g., 83) by surface tension, for
instance. In some embodiments (e.g., as shown in FIG. 8a), the
micro-channels (e.g., 83) may be wider than the fins (e.g., 85),
for instance.
[0084] Further, in some embodiments, the micro-channels may extend
beyond the fins on both sides of the heat exchanger. In other
embodiments, the micro-channels (e.g., 83) may extend beyond the
fins (e.g., 85) on just one side (e.g., as shown in FIG. 8a), which
may be positioned as the bottom side, in some embodiments, the side
where the air leaves the heat exchanger, the side of the downward
end of the fins), or a combination thereof, as examples. In some
embodiments, the micro-channels may extend beyond the fins on one
side and the fins may extend beyond the micro-channels on the other
side of the heat exchanger, as other examples. In other
embodiments, the micro-channels (e.g., 83) may extend beyond the
fins (e.g., 85) on one side and the fins (e.g., 85) and the
micro-channels (e.g., 83) may be flush on the other side of the
heat exchanger (e.g., 81 shown in FIG. 8a), as another example. In
still other embodiments, the micro-channels may be flush (or
substantially flush) with the fins on both sides of the heat
exchanger FIG. 1 to FIG. 6, FIG. 8, and FIG. 9 show fins 15, 45,
85, and 95 flush (on both sides) with micro-channel or multi-tube
13, for example.
[0085] In different embodiments, micro-channels (e.g., 13 or 83),
fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95), or both, may be 16, 20, or 25.4 mm
wide, as examples. Further, in different embodiments, micro-channel
heat exchangers (e.g., 100 or 1600) may have 1, 2, 3, or 4 rows of
micro-channels (e.g., 13 or 83), as examples, which may have 1, 2,
3, or 4 rows of fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95), as examples. In the
drawings, single rows of micro-channels (e.g., 13 or 83) and fins
(e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) are shown, and single rows of
micro-channels (e.g., 13 or 83) and fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95)
may be used in a number of embodiments. Other embodiments, however,
may differ.
[0086] Various embodiments of the invention include a means for
facilitating drainage or run-off of condensation, for example, from
a heat exchanger such as an evaporator in an air conditioning unit.
Further, some embodiments are heat pumps that include improved
micro-channel heat exchangers for both the evaporator (e.g., 30)
and condenser (e.g., 161) as well as a means for facilitating
drainage or run-off of condensation for each of the evaporator and
condenser. Such a means for facilitating drainage or run-off of
condensation may include slanted or angled fins, non-horizontal,
sloped, substantially vertical, or vertical micro-channels or
multi-tubes, or both, as examples. Other examples may be described
herein.
[0087] In some embodiments, a means for facilitating drainage or
run-off of condensation from a heat exchanger may include a first
means for facilitating drainage or run-off of condensation from
fins (e.g., fins slanted, for instance, downward in the direction
of air flow) and a second means for facilitating drainage or
run-off of condensation after the condensation leaves the fins
(e.g., micro-channels or multi-tubes that are vertical,
substantially vertical, at greater than a 45 degree angle from
horizontal, non-horizontal, or the like, that extend beyond the
fins, or a combination thereof).
[0088] Furthermore, besides apparatuses such as heat exchangers
(e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600), HVAC units (e.g., 130,
161, air conditioning units, or heat pumps), HVAC systems (e.g.,
160 shown in FIG. 16), and buildings (e.g., 165), various
embodiments include processes or methods, including methods of
making, obtaining, providing, and using such apparatuses. A number
of embodiments include, or are the result of, for example, a method
of making a direct expansion HVAC unit (e.g., 130, 161, or both)
using a micro-channel first heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81,
90, 100, or 1600), for instance, for an evaporator. In a number of
embodiments, the method may include, in various sequences, certain
acts.
[0089] Referring now to FIG. 17, these acts may include, for
instance, and method 170 shown specifically includes, an act 171 of
selecting a first heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, or 100)
for use as a first evaporator, for instance. The first heat
exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, or 100) may have, for example,
various features described herein, such as a first refrigerant
header tube (e.g., 11), a second refrigerant header tube (e.g.,
102), and multiple multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83) extending from the
first refrigerant header tube (e.g., 11) to the second refrigerant
header tube (e.g., 102). In some embodiments, the multi-tubes
(e.g., 13 or 83) may be arranged in parallel to each other with
respect to flow of the refrigerant, may have multiple contiguous
parallel refrigerant passageways (e.g., 601 to 610 shown in FIG. 6)
therethrough, may have multiple fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95)
between the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83), or a combination thereof,
for example. In the embodiment illustrated, method 170 further
includes act 173 of positioning a first fan (e.g., an evaporator
fan, such as fan 142 shown in FIG. 14 and FIG. 15) to move air
through the first evaporator (e.g., heat exchanger(s) 100 in a
first direction (e.g., direction 96, 97, 98, or a combination
thereof, shown in FIG. 9 to FIG. 12 and FIG. 14), for instance.
[0090] Further, some embodiments, such as method 170, may include
an act 174 of positioning the first evaporator (e.g., heat
exchanger 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, or 100) in the HVAC unit (e.g., 130)
so that the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83) are not horizontal and so
that the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) slant or slope downward
(e.g., in the air-flow direction or in the first direction). In
some embodiments, the act of positioning (e.g., 174) the first
evaporator in the HVAC unit includes positioning the first
evaporator (e.g., heat exchanger 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, or 100) so
that the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83) are oriented at an angle that
is closer to vertical than to horizontal (e.g., as shown in FIG. 9
to FIG. 12 and FIG. 14), so that the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83)
are oriented substantially vertically, or so that the multi-tubes
(e.g., 13 or 83) are oriented vertically (e.g., as shown in FIG. 1
to FIG. 8a), as examples. Further, in a number of embodiments, act
174 of positioning the first evaporator (e.g., heat exchanger 10,
40, 80, 81, 90, or 100) in the HVAC unit (e.g., 130) includes
positioning the first evaporator so that the fins (e.g., 15, 45,
85, or 95) are slanted (e.g., downward in the air-flow direction or
in the first direction) at an angle from horizontal that is greater
than 5 degrees, greater than 7 degrees, greater than 10 degrees,
between 5 degrees and 60 degrees, between 7 degrees and 45 degrees,
between 10 degrees and 30 degrees, between 15 degrees and 25
degrees or between 17.5 degrees and 22.5 degrees, as examples.
[0091] Still referring to FIG. 17, in some embodiments, act 171 of
selecting the first heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, or
100) for use as the first evaporator includes selecting a heat
exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, or 100) in which multiple of
the fins (e.g., 45 or 85) include multiple louvers (e.g., louvers
56 shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 7). Further, in some embodiments, act
174 of positioning the first heart exchanger or evaporator in the
HVAC unit (e.g., 130) includes positioning the first evaporator in
the HVAC unit so that the louvers (e.g., louvers 56 shown in FIG. 4
to FIG. 7) are slanted (e.g., downward in the air-flow direction or
in the first direction), and in particular embodiments, the louvers
(e.g., 56) may be slanted more steeply than the fins (e.g., 45 or
85), for example.
[0092] Certain methods may further include act 172 of selecting a
second heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600), for
instance, for a second evaporator or for a condenser (e.g., for
heat exchanger 1600 shown in FIG. 16), for example, for a heat
pump. In a number of such embodiments, the second heat exchanger
(e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) may have a third
refrigerant header tube (e.g., corresponding to or similar to first
refrigerant header tube 11), a fourth refrigerant header tube
(e.g., corresponding to or similar to second refrigerant header
tube 102), and multiple multi-tubes (e.g., corresponding to or
similar to multi-tubes 13 or 83) extending from the third
refrigerant header tube to the fourth refrigerant header tube, for
instance. In certain embodiments, the multi-tubes (e.g.,
corresponding to or similar to multi-tubes 13 or 83) may be
arranged in parallel to each other with respect to flow of the
refrigerant, each multi-tube may have multiple contiguous parallel
refrigerant passageways (e.g., corresponding to or similar to 601
to 610 shown in FIG. 6) therethrough, there may be multiple fins
(e.g., corresponding to or similar to fins 15, 45, 85, or 95)
between the multi-tubes, or a combination thereof, as examples.
[0093] Particular such embodiments may include additional acts
(e.g., act 175) of positioning a second fan (e.g., fan 1650 shown
in FIG. 16) to move air through the second heat exchanger (e.g.,
1600, which may be similar to heat exchanger 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, or
100) in a second direction, positioning (e.g., act 176) the second
heat exchanger (e.g., 1600) in the HVAC unit so that the
multi-tubes (e.g., corresponding to or similar to 13 or 83) of the
second heat exchanger (e.g., 1600) are not horizontal and so that
the fins (e.g., corresponding to or similar to 15, 45, 85, or 95)
of the second heat exchanger slant or slope downward (e.g., in the
air-flow direction or in the second direction), or a combination
thereof, for instance. Further, in some embodiments, act 176 of
positioning the second heat exchanger (e.g., 1600) in the HVAC unit
(e.g., 161) includes positioning the second heat exchanger (e.g.,
1600) in the HVAC unit (e.g., 161) so that the multi-tubes (e.g.,
corresponding to or similar to 13 or 83) of the second heat
exchanger (e.g., 1600) are oriented at an angle that is closer to
vertical than to horizontal, are oriented substantially vertically,
or are oriented vertically, as examples.
[0094] Moreover, in some embodiments, the act 176 of positioning
the second heat exchanger (e.g., 1600) in the HVAC unit (e.g., 161)
includes positioning the second heat exchanger (e.g., 1600) in the
HVAC unit so that the fins (e.g., corresponding to or similar to
15, 45, 85, or 95) of the second heat exchanger (e.g., 1600,
similar to heat exchanger 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, or 100) are slanted
(e.g., downward in the air-flow direction or in the second
direction) at an angle from horizontal that is greater than 5
degrees, greater than 7 degrees, greater than 10 degrees, between 5
degrees and 60 degrees, between 7 degrees and 45 degrees, between
10 degrees and 30 degrees, between 15 degrees and 25 degrees, or
between 17.5 degrees and 22.5 degrees, as examples.
[0095] Additionally, in some embodiments, act 172 of selecting the
second heat exchanger (e.g., 1600) includes selecting a heat
exchanger (e.g., corresponding to or similar to 40, 80, or 81)
having multiple louvers (e.g., corresponding to or similar to 56)
on the fins (e.g., corresponding to or similar to 45 or 85), for
instance. In certain embodiments, act 176 of positioning the second
heat exchanger (e.g., 1600) in the HVAC unit (e.g., 161) includes
positioning the second heat exchanger (e.g., corresponding to or
similar to 40, 80, or 81) in the HVAC unit so that the louvers
(e.g., corresponding to or similar to 56) of the second heat
exchanger are slanted (e.g., downward in the air-flow direction or
in the second direction), or are even slanted more steeply than the
fins (e.g., corresponding to or similar to 45 or 85) of the second
heat exchanger (e.g., 1600), for example.
[0096] Referring still to FIG. 17, in particular embodiments, act
171 of selecting the first heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81,
90, or 100) for use as the first evaporator includes selecting the
first heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, or 100) such that
the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83) are parallel to each other
geometrically, for instance. Further, in some embodiments, act 171
of selecting the first heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, or
100) for use as the first evaporator includes selecting a heat
exchanger for use as the first evaporator in which each multi-tube
(e.g., 13 or 83) has multiple contiguous parallel refrigerant
passageways (e.g., 601 to 610 shown in FIG. 6) therethrough
arranged in at least one row (e.g., 63). Further still, in a number
of embodiments, act 171 of selecting the first heat exchanger for
use as the first evaporator includes selecting a heat exchanger
(e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, or 100) in which the fins (e.g., 15, 45,
85, or 95) of the heat exchanger are bonded to the multi-tubes
(e.g., 13 or 83) of the first heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81,
90, or 100).
[0097] In various embodiments, act 171 of selecting the first heat
exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, or 100) for use as the first
evaporator includes selecting a heat exchanger for use as the first
evaporator wherein the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) are oriented
at an angle that is less than 80 degrees, that is less than 75
degrees, that is between 45 and 80 degrees, that is between 60 and
80 degrees, that is between 65 and 75 degrees, or that is between
67.5 and 72.5 degrees from the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83) of the
first heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, or 100), as
examples.
[0098] In some embodiments, act 171 of selecting the first heat
exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, or 100) for use as the first
evaporator includes selecting a first heat exchanger for use as the
first evaporator wherein the first refrigerant header tube (e.g.,
11) is substantially parallel to the second refrigerant header tube
(e.g., 102), wherein the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83) of the first
heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, or 100) are substantially
perpendicular to the first refrigerant header tube (e.g., 11),
wherein, the rows (e.g., 63 as shown in FIG. 6) of contiguous
passageways (e.g., 601 to 610) are substantially perpendicular to
the multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83) of the first heat exchanger (e.g.,
10, 40, 80, 81, 90, or 100) and the rows (e.g., 63 as shown in FIG.
6) of contiguous passageways (e.g., 601 to 610) are substantially
perpendicular to the first refrigerant header tube (e.g., 11), or a
combination thereof, as examples.
[0099] Other examples of embodiments include various a methods
(e.g., 170) of making an HVAC unit (e.g., 130, 161, or both), for
instance, having reduced air flow restriction. Some embodiments of
such a method have (e.g., in any order or in a particular order) at
least certain acts. Such acts may include, for instance, act 171 of
obtaining or providing a heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90,
100, or 1600), such as described herein. Such a heat exchanger
(e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) may, for instance, have a
third angle (e.g., third angle 903 shown FIG. 9), that is less than
90 degrees, less than 80 degrees, more than 30 degrees, more than
45 degrees, or a combination thereof, as examples. Other examples
and ranges for third angle 903 are described herein. In a number of
embodiments, the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or
1600) may have a perpendicular direction (e.g., direction 99 as
shown in FIG. 9) that may be, for example, perpendicular to the
first header tube (e.g., 11), perpendicular to the second header
tube (e.g., 102), perpendicular to the parallel or multi-tubes
(e.g., 13 or 83), or a combination thereof, as examples.
[0100] In some embodiments, methods (e.g., method 170) may include
act 174 of mounting the (e.g., first) heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40,
80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) within the HVAC unit (e.g., 130 or 161)
in the path of air flow having a predominant air-flow direction
(e.g., 96 as shown in FIG. 9) approaching the heat exchanger (e.g.,
10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600). As an example, FIG. 10 to FIG.
15 illustrate an example of an HVAC unit or air handler 130 that
includes two heat exchangers 100 that are mounted within HVAC unit
130 in the path of air flow having a predominant air-flow direction
96 approaching the heat exchanger 100 that is vertically up. In
certain embodiments, act 174 of mounting the heat exchanger (e.g.,
10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) may include positioning the heat
exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) so that first
angle 901 between the predominant air-flow direction 96 approaching
the heat exchanger (e.g., 90) and the fins (e.g., 95, as shown in
FIG. 9) is less than second angle 902 between the predominant
air-flow direction 96 approaching the heat exchanger (e.g., 90) and
the perpendicular direction (e.g., 99 as also shown in FIG. 9).
[0101] Another embodiment is a method (e.g., 170) of making an
[0102] HVAC unit (e.g., 130, 161, or both) having reduced air flow
restriction, in which the method includes (e.g., in any order) at
least act 171 of obtaining or providing a heat exchanger (e.g., 10,
40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) having a perpendicular direction
(e.g., 99 as shown in FIG. 9), the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40,
80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) having fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95)
oriented at a non-zero fin angle (e.g., 93) to the perpendicular
direction (e.g., 99). Various methods described herein may include
such an act. As used herein, a non-zero fin angle (e.g., 93) means
that the angle between the fin (e.g., 95) and the perpendicular
direction (e.g., 99) is more than 1/2 degree. In some embodiments,
this fin angle (e.g., 93) may be more than one degree, more than
two degrees, more than three degrees, more than five degrees, more
than seven degrees, more than ten degrees, or more than 20 degrees,
as other examples. Further examples are described herein.
[0103] In a number of embodiments, method 170 also (or instead)
includes act 174 of mounting the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80,
81, 90, 100, or 1600) within the HVAC unit (e.g., 130 or 161) in
the path of air flow having a predominant air-flow direction (e.g.,
96 shown in FIG. 9) approaching the heat exchanger (e.g., 90),
wherein act 174 of mounting the heat exchanger (e.g., 90) includes
positioning the heat exchanger so that first angle 901 between the
predominant air-flow direction 96 approaching the heat exchanger
(e.g., 90) and the fins (e.g., 95) is less than second angle 902
between the predominant air-flow direction 96 approaching the heat
exchanger (e.g., 90) and the perpendicular direction 99.
[0104] In particular embodiments, act 174 of mounting the heat
exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) includes
positioning the heat exchanger so that first angle 901 is at least
5 degrees less than second angle 902, at least 10 degrees less than
second angle 902, at least 15 degrees less than second angle 902,
at least 20 degrees less than second angle 902, at least 25 degrees
less than second angle 902, at least 30 degrees less than second
angle 902, at least 35 degrees less than second angle 902, at least
40 degrees less than second angle 902, or at least 45 degrees less
than second angle 902, as examples. In certain embodiments, act 174
of mounting the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or
1600) includes positioning the heat exchanger so that first angle
901 is about 47.5 degrees less than second angle 902 or so that
first angle 901 is 47.5 degrees less than second angle 902, as
other examples. Further, in some embodiments, the act of mounting
the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600)
includes positioning the heat exchanger so that first angle 901 is
no more than 50 degrees less than second angle 902, no more than 55
degrees less than second angle 902, no more than 60 degrees less
than second angle 902, no more than 65 degrees less than second
angle 902, or no more than 70 degrees less than second angle 902,
as further examples.
[0105] In particular embodiments, method 170 shown in FIG. 17 is
such that act 174 of mounting the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80,
81, 90, 100, or 1600) includes positioning the heat exchanger so
that the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) are oriented at a third
angle (e.g., third angle 903 shown in FIG. 9) from the parallel
tubes or multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83), such that third angle 903
plus second angle 902 minus first angle 901, is substantially equal
to 90 degrees. Further, in certain embodiments, method 170 may be
accomplished such that third angle 903 plus second angle 902 minus
first angle 901, is equal to 90 degrees.
[0106] In some embodiments, (e.g., within an installed HVAC unit,
such as indoor unit 130 shown in FIG. 13 and FIG. 16, outdoor unit
161 shown in FIG. 16, or both) the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95)
are slanted upward in the air-flow direction (e.g., 97 shown in
FIG. 9). In certain embodiments, louvers (e.g., similar to 56 shown
in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6) may be slanted upward in the air-flow
direction as well (or instead). Further, in some methods (e.g., 170
shown in FIG. 17), the act (e.g., 176) of positioning a second heat
exchanger (e.g., 1600) in the HVAC unit (e.g., 161) comprises
positioning the heat exchanger (e.g., 1600) so that the fins (e.g.,
corresponding to or similar to 15, 45, 85, or 95) of the second
heat exchanger (e.g., 1600, which may be corresponding to or
similar to 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, or 100) are slanted upward in the
second direction (e.g., direction 97 shown in FIG. 9). Moreover, in
some embodiments, an act (e.g., 174) of positioning an evaporator
(e.g. the first evaporator, or heat exchanger 100) in the HVAC unit
(e.g., 130) comprises positioning the evaporator so that the fins
(e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) of the evaporator are slanted upward in
the first direction (e.g., 97).
[0107] Having the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) slant upward in
the air-flow direction (e.g., 97) may not help to promote
condensation runoff as well as having the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85,
or 95) slant downward in the air-flow direction. But HVAC units
(e.g., the air handler 130, condensing unit 161, or both
illustrated in FIG. 16), may be built with the fins (e.g., 15, 45,
85, or 95) slanting upward in the air-flow direction in order to
improve air flow or reduce air-flow restriction through the heat
exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600), for example. In
some embodiments, it is advantageous to have the predominant
air-flow direction (e.g., 96) approaching the heat exchanger (e.g.,
1600 as shown in FIG. 16) be upward (e.g., vertical), for instance,
to promote upward exhaust of condenser air, for instance. In FIG.
16, the flow of air into and out of condenser or unit 161 (e.g.,
through heat exchanger 1600) is illustrated by arrows.
[0108] For example, air conditioning units that are not also heat
pumps may be built with the fins (e.g., corresponding to or similar
to 15, 45, 85, or 95) of the condenser (e.g., 1600) slanting upward
in the air-flow direction in order to improve air flow or reduce
air-flow restriction through the condenser (e.g., 161 or 1600). In
such embodiments, condensation does not form in the condenser, so
condensation removal is not an issue. In other embodiments, having
the fins (e.g., corresponding to or similar to 15, 45, 85, or 95)
slope upward in the air-flow direction may be satisfactory because
air flow is insufficient to interfere with condensation flow along
the fins, or because air flow is so high that having the fins
(e.g., corresponding to or similar to 15, 45, 85, or 95) slope
downward in the direction of air flow is superfluous. In some
embodiments, fins (e.g., 85 or 95) may be sloped (i.e., from
horizontal) more steeply if the fins (e.g., 85 or 95) are slanted
upwards in the air-flow direction, than the fins (e.g., 15 or 45)
would be sloped if sloped downward in the air-flow direction. The
greater slope, in such embodiments (e.g., as shown in FIG. 8, FIG.
8a, and FIG. 9), may provide better runoff of condensation to
compensate for the direction of the air flow, for instance.
[0109] In a number of embodiments, the act (e.g., 171, 172, or
both) of obtaining or providing the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40,
80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) comprises obtaining or providing a heat
exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) having a first
header tube (e.g., 11) and a second header tube (e.g., 102),
wherein the perpendicular direction (e.g., 99) is perpendicular to
the first header tube (e.g., 11), perpendicular to the second
header tube (e.g., 102), or both. Further, in some embodiments, the
act (e.g., 171 or 172) of obtaining or providing the heat exchanger
(e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) comprises obtaining or
providing a heat exchanger having multiple parallel tubes (e.g., 13
or 83) extending from the first header tube (e.g., 11) to the
second header tube (e.g., 102). In various embodiments, the
perpendicular direction (e.g., 99) is perpendicular to these
parallel tubes (e.g., 13 or 83). And in certain embodiments, the
act (e.g., 171 or 172) of obtaining or providing the heat exchanger
(e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) comprises obtaining or
providing a heat exchanger having multiple parallel tubes that are
multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83) and each have multiple parallel fluid
passageways (e.g., 601 to 610) therethrough. Further, in some
embodiments, the act (e.g., 171 or 172) of obtaining or providing
the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600)
comprises obtaining or providing a heat exchanger having multiple
multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83) that each have multiple contiguous
fluid passageways (e.g., 601 to 610) arranged in at least one row
(e.g., 63), for instance.
[0110] In various embodiments, the act (e.g., 171 or 172) of
obtaining or providing the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81,
90, 100, or 1600) comprises obtaining or providing a heat exchanger
having the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) mounted between the
multiple parallel tubes (e.g., 13 or 83). Further, in some
embodiments, the act (e.g., 171 or 172) of obtaining or providing
the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600)
comprises obtaining or providing a heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40,
80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) having a fin angle (e.g., 93) that is at
least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, or 45 degrees, as examples. In
particular embodiments, the act (e.g., 171 or 172) of obtaining or
providing the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or
1600) comprises obtaining or specifically providing a heat
exchanger having a fin angle that is about 47.5 degrees or having a
fin angle (e.g., 93) that is 47.5 degrees, as other examples. In
some embodiments, the act (e.g., 171 or 172) of obtaining or
providing the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or
1600) comprises obtaining or providing a heat exchanger having a
fin angle (e.g., 93) that is no more than 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, or 75
degrees, for instance. The embodiments shown in FIG. 8 and FIG. 8a
have a fin angle (e.g., 93) of 47.5 degrees, for example. Other
embodiments may have a fin angle (e.g., 93) of 5, 10, 15, 20 (e.g.,
as shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 5), 25, 30, 35, 40, 42.5, 45, 50, 52.5,
55, 60, 65, 70, or 75 degrees, as other examples, or an angle
therebetween.
[0111] In a number of embodiments, the act (e.g., 174 or 176) of
mounting the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or
1600) includes positioning the heat exchanger so that the fins
(e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) slope downward in a direction (e.g., 97)
of air flow across the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) to promote
condensation run off from the fins, while in other embodiments, the
act (e.g., 174 or 176) of mounting the heat exchanger (e.g., 10,
40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) includes positioning the heat
exchanger so that the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) slope upward
in a direction (e.g., 97) of air flow across the fins.
[0112] Other embodiments include methods of obtaining or providing
various buildings (e.g., 165 shown in FIG. 16) having one or more
HVAC units (e.g., 130, 161, or both) as described herein, for
example. In some embodiments, such buildings (e.g., 165) may have a
roof (e.g., 163), walls (e.g., 162), an enclosed space (e.g., 166),
ductwork (e.g., 167), a controller (e.g., 1610), or a combination
thereof, for instance. Various methods may include acts of
obtaining or providing such equipment, for example.
[0113] As illustrated in FIG. 9, in some embodiments, the HVAC unit
may have a predominant air-flow direction 98 after leaving (i.e.,
after the air leaves) the heat exchanger (e.g., 90). In FIG. 10 to
FIG. 12 and FIG. 14, two heat exchangers 100 are shown and a thick
arrow labeled "Air Flow". In this illustration, the predominant
air-flow direction 98 after leaving the heat exchanger (e.g., 100)
is vertically up. In FIG. 9 the predominant air-flow direction 98
after leaving the heat exchanger (e.g., 90) is also vertically up.
As used herein, the predominant air-flow direction (e.g., 98) after
leaving the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600)
is not necessarily the air-flow direction immediately after leaving
the heat exchanger, but rather, is the air-flow direction after
leaving the heat exchanger but before the air is guided by any
turning vanes, ductwork, a fan (e.g., 142), or the like. In
different embodiments, the predominant air-flow direction (e.g.,
98) after leaving the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90,
100, or 1600) may be the same direction or a different direction in
comparison with the predominant air-flow direction (e.g., 96)
approaching the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or
1600).
[0114] For example, as illustrated in FIG. 16, in some condensing
units (e.g., 161) on split system air conditioning units or heat
pumps, the condenser fan (e.g., 1650) may blow air up (vertically),
drawing outside air horizontally through the condenser heat
exchanger (e.g., 1600). In such embodiments, the predominant
air-flow direction (e.g., 98) after leaving the heat exchanger
(e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) is vertical (up), but the
predominant air-flow direction (e.g., corresponding to direction
96) approaching the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100,
or 1600) is horizontal. As used herein, there is no ductwork or
turning vanes between the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90,
100, or 1600) and the location where the air leaving the heat
exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) assumes the
"predominant air-flow direction after leaving the heat exchanger"
(e.g., direction 98).
[0115] In a number of embodiments, a fourth angle (e.g., 904)
between the predominant air-flow direction (e.g., 98) after leaving
the heat exchanger (e.g., 90) and the fins (e.g., 95) is less than
a fifth angle (e.g., 905) between the predominant air-flow
direction (e.g., 98) after leaving the heat exchanger (e.g., 90)
and the perpendicular direction (e.g., 99). In some embodiments,
the difference between fourth angle 904 and fifth angle 905
provides benefit at reducing air-flow restriction or improving air
flow, for instance.
[0116] In various embodiments, fourth angle 904 is at least 5
degrees less than fifth angle 905, at least 10 degrees less than
fifth angle 905, at least 15 degrees less than fifth angle 905, at
least 20 degrees less than fifth angle 905, at least 25 degrees
less than fifth angle 905, at least 30 degrees less than fifth
angle 905, at least 35 degrees less than fifth angle 905, at least
40 degrees less than fifth angle 905, or at least 45 degrees less
than fifth angle 905, as examples. Further, in some embodiments
fourth angle 904 is about 47.5 degrees less than fifth angle 905,
or specifically is 47.5 degrees less than fifth angle 905, as
examples.
[0117] In some embodiments, fourth angle 904 is no more than 50
degrees less than fifth angle 905, fourth angle 904 is no more than
55 degrees less than fifth angle 905, fourth angle 904 is no more
than 60 degrees less than fifth angle 905, fourth angle 904 is no
more than 65 degrees less than fifth angle 905, fourth angle 904 is
no more than 70 degrees less than fifth angle 905, or fourth angle
904 is no more than 75 degrees less than fifth angle 905, as
examples. In a number of embodiments, third angle 903 plus fifth
angle 905 minus fourth angle 904, is substantially equal to 90
degrees. In fact, in particular embodiments, third angle 903 plus
fifth angle 905 minus fourth angle 904, is equal to 90 degrees
(i.e., to the nearest degree).
[0118] In some embodiments, methods (e.g., 170) may include an act
(e.g., 174 or 176) of mounting (e.g., positioning and orienting)
the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) within
the HVAC unit (e.g., 130 or 161) so that air flow will have a
predominant air-flow direction (e.g., 98) after leaving the heat
exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600), wherein the act
(e.g., 174 or 176) of mounting the heat exchanger includes
positioning the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or
1600) so that fourth angle 904 between the predominant air-flow
direction 98 after leaving the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80,
81, 90, 100, or 1600) and the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) is
less than fifth angle 905 between the predominant air-flow
direction 98 after leaving the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80,
81, 90, 100, or 1600) and perpendicular direction 99. In certain
embodiments, the act (e.g., 174 or 176) of mounting the heat
exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) may include
positioning the heat exchanger so that fourth angle 904 between the
predominant air-flow direction 98 after leaving the heat exchanger
(e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) and the fins (e.g., 15,
45, 85, or 95) is less than fifth angle 905 between the predominant
air-flow direction 98 after leaving the heat exchanger (e.g., 10,
40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) and perpendicular direction 99.
[0119] Another embodiment is a method (e.g., 170) of making an HVAC
unit (e.g., 130, 161, or both) having reduced air flow restriction,
in which the method includes (e.g., in any order) (or various of
the above methods may include) at least the act (e.g., 171 or 172)
of obtaining or providing a heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81,
90, 100, or 1600) having a perpendicular direction (e.g., 99), the
heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) having fins
(e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) oriented at a non-zero fin angle (e.g.,
93) to the perpendicular direction (e.g., 99). Other embodiments
may have other fin angles (e.g., 93) described herein, or the fin
angle may be within various fin-angle ranges described herein.
[0120] In a number of embodiments, this method (e.g., 170) also
includes an act (e.g., 174 or 176) of mounting the heat exchanger
(e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) within the HVAC unit,
wherein the act of mounting the heat exchanger includes positioning
the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) so that
a fourth angle (e.g., 904) between a predominant air-flow direction
(e.g., 98) after leaving the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81,
90, 100, or 1600) and the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) is less
than a fifth angle (e.g., 905) between the predominant air-flow
direction (e.g., 98) after leaving the heat exchanger and the
perpendicular direction (e.g., 99).
[0121] In particular embodiments, the act (e.g., 174 or 176) of
mounting the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or
1600) includes positioning the heat exchanger so that fourth angle
904 is at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, or 45 degrees less
than fifth angle 905, as examples. In certain embodiments, the act
(e.g., 174 or 176) of mounting the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40,
80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) includes positioning the heat exchanger
so that fourth angle 904 is about 47.5 degrees less than fifth
angle 905 or so that fourth angle 904 is 47.5 degrees less than
fifth angle 905, as other examples. Further, in some embodiments,
the act (e.g., 174 or 176) of mounting the heat exchanger (e.g.,
10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) includes positioning the heat
exchanger so that fourth angle 904 is no more than 50, 55, 60, 65,
70, or 75 degrees less than fifth angle 905, as further
examples.
[0122] In particular embodiments, method 170 is such that act 174
or 176 of mounting the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90,
100, or 1600) includes positioning the heat exchanger so that the
fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) are oriented at third angle 903 from
the parallel tubes or multi-tubes (e.g., 13 or 83), such that third
angle 903 plus fifth angle 905 minus fourth angle 904, is
substantially equal to 90 degrees. Further, in certain embodiments,
third angle 903 plus fifth angle 905 minus fourth angle 904, is
equal to 90 degrees.
[0123] In a number of embodiments, act 174 or 176 of mounting the
heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or 1600) includes
positioning the heat exchanger so that the fins (e.g., 15, 45, 85,
or 95) slope downward in a direction (e.g., 97) of air flow across
the fins, for example, to promote condensation run off from the
fins. In other embodiments, on the other hand, act 174 or 176 of
mounting the heat exchanger (e.g., 10, 40, 80, 81, 90, 100, or
1600) includes positioning the heat exchanger so that the fins
(e.g., 15, 45, 85, or 95) slope upward in a direction (e.g., 97) of
air flow across the fins (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 9).
[0124] Various methods described herein include acts of selecting,
making, positioning, or using certain components, as examples.
Other embodiments may include performing other of these acts on the
same or different components, or may include fabricating,
assembling, obtaining, providing, ordering, receiving, shipping, or
selling such components, or other components described herein or
known in the art, as other examples. Further, various embodiments
of the invention include various combinations of the components,
features, and acts described herein or shown in the drawings, for
example.
[0125] Certain embodiments of the invention also contemplate
various procedures or methods of providing or obtaining different
combinations of the components or structure described herein. Such
procedures may include acts such as providing or obtaining various
components described herein, and providing or obtaining components
that perform functions described herein, as well as packaging,
advertising, and selling products described herein, for instance.
Particular embodiments of the invention also contemplate various
means for accomplishing the various functions described herein or
apparent from the structure described. Other embodiment include
products, such as heat exchangers, HVAC units, air conditioning
units, heat exchanger assemblies, and buildings, made, obtained, or
provided, in accordance with one or more of the methods described
herein. Other embodiments may be apparent to a person of ordinary
skill in the art having studied this document.
* * * * *